Lending a Hand to Our Newest Neighbors
What is the service?
Refugee Social Services are services provided to refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, victims of human trafficking and Amerasians for their effective resettlement in this country. The services are designed to promote self-sufficiency within the shortest possible time after their entrance into the country. The Refugee Program is funded through federal grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement. The grants fund the following service programs:
Refugee Case Assistance
Refugee Medical Assistance
Refugee Social Services
Discretionary Projects
Services provided under these programs include:
Case Assistance
Medical Assistance
Employment Services
English as a Second Language
Social Adjustment
Who can receive the service?
The services are available to all refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, victims of human trafficking, and Amerasians. The Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and/or the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) determines the above statuses of individuals seeking to enter the United States and records the statuses on documentation forms. An applicant for services must provide proof of one of the above statuses as a condition of eligibility. Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance have financial eligibility requirements.
How long can the service be received?
Refugee Case and Medical Assistance are available for the first 8 months after arrival. Refugee Social Services services are available for 5 years after arrival.
How does one access the service?
Telephone, write or visit the local refugee agency. Services are generally available during working hours Monday through Friday although special hours may be available when applicable. Applications for services may be made directly to the agencies listed below. Initial contact may be made by phone, in writing, or by a visit to the agency.
Where and when can the service be accessed?
Services are provided and can be accessed through the following agencies contracting with the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Community Services:
Associated Catholic Charities of New Orleans, Inc.
Immigration and Refugee Services
100 Howard Avenue, Suite 600
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 523-3755 or 2606
Catholic Community Services of Baton Rouge, Inc.
Migration and Refugee Services
1800 South Acadian Thruway
P. O. Box 4213
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4213
(504) 346-0660
Catholic Diocese of Lafayette
Migration and Resettlement Services
1408 Carmel Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70501
(318) 261-5535
Resettlement Center of Central Louisiana, Inc.
525 A Main Street
Pineville, LA 71360
(318) 487-1234
|
